In the spirit of the season, Workplace Safety North (WSN) is offering a free 1-hour on-demand safety webinar for snowmobile enthusiasts.
“Driving on or near forest roads in the winter can be very dangerous,” says Paul Andre, WSN President and CEO. “Most folks don’t realize winter is the busy season for logging in northern Ontario. As more people look to get outside and enjoy winter activities during this pandemic, we want to raise awareness and make things safer for both outdoor enthusiasts and logging workers.”
In March 2017, an Ontario snowmobiler died after colliding with a logging truck on a bush road. The Ontario Provincial Police reported that the deceased was travelling northbound along the road with a group of sledders when they encountered a southbound logging truck at a curve.
The first snowmobiler navigated the curve safely, but the second one crossed in front of the truck. The truck driver tried to avoid the collision, but the sled collided with the trailer, and the snowmobiler was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
During the 2016-17 season, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Annual Report states 26 drivers and two passengers were killed in snowmobile collisions, and almost 300 people - drivers, passengers, and pedestrians - were injured.
Learn how to safely navigate the hazards of driving recreational or personal vehicles on forest roads
The instructor-led webinar recording 'Safe Driving on Forest Roads Recreation' covers tips for all aspects of driving safely on forestry roads – including the right personal protective equipment, a circle check to make sure your ride is ready to roll, safe driving practices, and how to load and unload a snowmobile from your truck or trailer.
